OFFICIAL: Bengaluru FC rope in Congolese striker Prince Ibara

OFFICIAL: Bengaluru FC rope in Congolese striker Prince Ibara

OFFICIAL: Bengaluru FC rope in Congolese striker Prince Ibara

Bengaluru FC have confirmed the signing of Congolese striker Prince Vinny Ibara Doniama on Friday, as they look to bolster their attack ahead of the upcoming AFC Cup Playoff Stage.

Prince Ibara, the 25-year old forward will be Joining the Blues ahead of their AFC Cup playoff clash against Eagles FC, on two-year deal untill the summer of 2023, with an option to extend for another another.

Congolese forward Prince Ibara joins Bengaluru FC on a two year deal ahead of the Blues’ AFC Cup playoff

Prince Ibara

Prince Ibara most recently represented the Ligue 2 side Chateauroux, where he offered his services on loan from Belgian First Division A side Beerschot, and will be a crucial addition in the front line for Bengaluru FC.

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Ibara began his career at ACNFF in Congo and had stints with a few clubs in Gabon and Tunisia before joining Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah in 2017. Ibara moved to Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side USM Alger the next season, where he was involved heavily and scored nine League goals as he helped Alger to the Championnat National 1 title that year.

Ibara, who is a resident of Brazzaville, has played for the Congolese National team 13 times, since making his debut in a friendly against Morocco in 2016. Ibara has also netted four times for his country in the competitives, the first of which came against Liberia in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2018.

“I’m really excited to be part of this team. I consider it as a project and not a business deal. I’ve won a fair few championships and titles in the clubs that I’ve played for but I feel India and Asia is the next challenge for me. That’s the motivating factor. Also, the fact that the coach trusts me to lead the attack is why I’ve picked Bengaluru FC,” stated Ibara in his interview, after completing the formalities on his deal with Bengaluru FC.

Congolese forward Prince Ibara joins Bengaluru FC

“That the club is going to be playing Asian competition is one of the reasons I have signed here. I’m not anxious, I’m eager to land and score as many goals as possible for this football club. I did have a few offers from elsewhere, but I felt India was the right project for me. The focus is on the word ‘project’, because that’s what the coach wants to do, that’s what the coach aims to implement and I want to be part of it,” Ibara further added, mentioning of his ambitions in India with his new club.

Bengaluru FC head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli also exclaimed his eagerness to work with the new striker and see him join the team in pre-season, and how he prepares.

“Prince is a young striker who will bring much to the squad. He has the experience of playing in Europe and also for the national team of Congo and that will give us more quality to the squad. Importantly, he has won silverware and will bring that mentality to the side. I would like to welcome him to the BFC family and hope we can achieve success together,” Pezzaiuoli made clear of what is to be expected from Ibara.

Bengaluru FC have already started to make crucial additions to their squad as they gear up ahead of the AFC Cup playoffs, having already secured the likes of defender Sarthak Golui, Brazilian defender Alan Costa and Yrandu Musavu-King.

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